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Board of Education Recap July 26th, 2018
News from Sheridan School District No. 2

Contact: Mark Stevens

[email protected]

303-495-8699 (mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)

 

News Release

July 26, 2018

Unanimous Vote Sends $3 Million Mill Levy Question to November Ballot

 

The Sheridan Board of Education this week unanimously supported a resolution that places a $3 million ballot question on the November 2018 ballot.

The resolution states that the money will address four priorities:

  • Improve safety and security infrastructure and operations to be able to maintain safer buildings for students and staff;
  • Repair leaking roofs and other district facilities and provide general maintenance in school buildings;
  • Improve and upgrade technology infrastructure and operations in schools to support 21st Century learning opportunities and achievement for Sheridan students; and
  • Make salaries and wages of district personnel competitive with those of other school districts in the metropolitan area.

Chief Financial Officer Kristen Colonell told board members (Tuesday, July 24) that raising the additional $3 million would increase taxes on a home with an assessed valuation of $200,000 by $15.44 per month and taxes on a home with an assessed valuation of $300,000 by $23.16 per month.  (Assessed valuations are not market prices.)

 

The discussion about the mill levy proposal was held during the board work session. Sheridan Educator Association president Peter Morris attended both the work session and the regular meeting. He spoke at both meetings and said teachers will get behind the proposal and support the mill levy campaign.   

Sally Daigle said the capital improvements are a strong selling point. “I say the capital stuff is as important as the salaries,” she said. “The community deserves to be able to go to one of the beautiful musicals (at the high school) with beautiful talent without having one whole section of seats sectioned-off (due to a leaking roof).”

New Faces

During the work session, Superintendent Sandos took a few minutes to introduce three new administrators—Alice Terry Elementary School principal Diego Romero, SOAR Academy principal Todd Legge, and Assessment Director Maegan Daigler. 

 

Beyond Textbooks

Sheridan schools will begin using Beyond Textbooks, an online resource and collaborative community created by teachers and district leaders. It is used by more than 100 school districts in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois and New Mexico. In all, some 14,000 teachers participate in Beyond Textbooks, which provides an entire program of curriculum development, instructional improvement, student assessment, and multi-level interventions. 

Superintendent Sandos told the board that Beyond Textbooks provides more than 50,000 resources to teachers and allows teachers to spend more time focusing on whether students grasped and learned what was being taught.

“I’m really excited about this,” said Sandos. “I think it’s going to help teachers and principals move to looking at instruction—what we can focus on now is the delivery of the lesson itself. Our principals will have better conversations (with teachers).”

The work with Beyond Textbooks requires a much smaller investment than a textbook adoption might, added Superintendent Sandos, and includes training and ongoing collaboration with the Beyond Textbooks community.

Jeffco Virtual Academy

Superintendent Sandos announced that Sheridan is working with Jeffco Schools Superintendent Jason Glass on an agreement that would allow Sheridan students to access high level mathematics, foreign language and other coursework through Jeffco Virtual Academy.  The agreement would come at no more cost to Sheridan students than what Jeffco students pay. If all goes well, the program might be rolled out with the second semester of the 2018-2019 school year. “I’m really excited about this,” said Sandos. “I think that’s really going to enhance our offerings in the high school and allow us to add more depth and meat to our program.”

South Suburban Parks and Recreation

The long-term leases with South Suburban Parks and Recreation are being reconsidered. Superintendent Sandos told board members he believes the current arrangements are not equitable for Sheridan students. “We feel like there can be something better,” he said. The current leases allow members of South Suburban to access tennis courts, pickle ball courts, and the baseball fields. 

Consent Agenda

All consent items were approved.

In addition, Polly Plancarte was appointed as the district’s Designated Election Official.

 

About Sheridan School District 2

Located southwest of Denver, Sheridan School District 2 seeks high-level post-secondary options for all students through continuous improvement of quality instruction. More: www.ssd2.org